Latest on Pagami Creek Fire September 7, 2011

Pagami Creek Fire

UPDATE: September 7, 2011

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Firefighters completed the burn out operation on the Pagami Creek Fire yesterday. Today crews will be focused on securing the fire line and identifying hazards that could make their work more dangerous. Hand firing may be used today to burn out pockets of un-burnt fuels close to the fire line. Ely area residents and visitors should expect to see and smell smoke from both the Pagami Creek Fire and several small fires that were detected in the past few days. Paddlers in the Lakes One and Two area may continue to see aircraft and hear pumps running as the burn out operation transitions into mop up and monitoring. Public Safety crews will be on the lakes to talk with paddlers and escort them across the portages between Lakes One and Two.
Paddlers are asked to maintain a safe distance from the shores affected by the fire. Trees with root systems damaged by the fire might fall at any time.

ACTIVITIES TODAY:
• Helicopters may be used to drop water on areas of the fire as part of mop up efforts.
• A variety of aerial resources will be used to monitor the fire.
• Crews will be patrolling the fire line and may be hand firing to remove remaining un-burnt fuel.

OUTLOOK: Firing operations were completed yesterday. Crews will begin mop up efforts today. Mop up includes looking for hot spots within the fire, patrolling the line looking for spots where fire could have crossed, and improving the line if needed. Dry weather trends are predicted into mid-September.

SAFETY: There are no imminent threats to public safety or private properties. Travel on the rarely used route between Lake Two and Clearwater Lake is not safe at this time. The portages between Lakes One and Two are open. Do not leave fires unattended and douse campfires thoroughly.

DATE OF DETECTION: August 18, 2011

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 1335 acres burned. Acreage should be expected to rise due to the burn out.

LOCATION: Township 63 N, Range 9 W, Sections 30, 31, 32: approximately 14 miles east of Ely (within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) in the Pagami Creek area between the South Kawishiwi River, Clearwater Lake, and Lake One.

AGENCY: Superior National Forest, Kawishiwi Ranger District

STATUS: Surface fire and occasional group tree torching.

SMOKE CONDITIONS: Depending on wind directions, visitors may see and smell smoke.

RESOURCES: Minnesota Interagency Incident Management Team B is managing the fire with 103 personnel. Public safety crews are in place to provide contact with Wilderness visitors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Phone (218) 365-3177
Internet: www.inciweb.org/incident/2534 Follow us on Twitter@inciweb